Gray Table Redo: $3 DIY Chalk Paint

Easy, and quick! My fav kind of DIY project. And it only cost $3! So here is what you do:

Get a paint sample from your fav home improvement store. Mine is from Lowe's , the Olympic One brand for $2.98. I chose the Flagstone color, bonus it matches the Popcorn Bar I featured last week!!
Cut the paint to 50% by adding one part paint to one part Gesso. I emptied this whole paint sample into a Gladware container, and then filled the empty sample bottle with gesso so I got a 1 to 1 ratio.

Paint on two coats and let dry. Then sand to distress with fine grit sandpaper.

Close up of the distressing. then I waxed it with soft paste furniture wax.

It really makes this corner look bigger and brighter, and it's amazing what a lighter color will do!! Thank you for visiting today!

Before and After Niche Makeover With Gray Paint: The Popcorn Bar

The before shot shows how we used this area as a pet food storage/ bookcase / display area.

Now it is a useful Popcorn/ Movie Bar! I used Olympic One paint from Lowe's in Flagstone (insert I am so excited that this paint really did cover that dark red in just ONE COAT face!!!), and Martha Stewart Metallic Paint from Home Depot in Polished Silver. It is definitely a cleaner and brighter space now. So here's the details:

These are my vintage cameras from a trip to the antique store this summer with my kids, Mom, and sister! Great memories! The map in the background came out of the back of my Target planner that I finished using for 2013. Hello free artwork!

These are Martha Stewart Chalk Board Labels from Office Depot.

I made these labels by printing a Word document, then stamping the circle with a Papertrey Ink stamp and Hero Arts Soft Granite ink. The font is Futura Italic. I punched out around the stamped image with a coordinating size circle punch, and adhered them with my handy Scotch ATG gun.

After brainstorming about how to make this area more useful, I realized I could make a DIY chalkboard sign for listing movies we Need to watch and return, and also list the movies we want to order next. Now we have a place to write it down besides our phones,  and the basket on the above shelf holds the Netflix Movies we need to watch first. The frame is from Michael's and 10"x13" was on sale half off, so six bucks!! Whoo hoo!

Here is a final look back at the transformation. Me, the kids, and hubs all love it, and it will be useful for the daughter's high school class, and the son's college buddies. Thank you for checking out my redo!!

I am linking up to the "Link Party Palooza" at Tater Tots and Jello, one of my fav DIY, creative, and decorating blogs!! Go check out their awesomeness!

Linking up at Domestically Speaking, Remodelaholic, Six Sisters Stuff, Chic on a Shoestring, DIYShowoff , Mommy on Demand

Gray Bathroom Redo for $50!

Paint: Olympic One in Secret Passage= $26
Towels: Target = $14
Soap Dispenser: Target= $10
 The rest of the artwork and decor I repurposed, and painted, or had up in my craft room for a "someday" project:)

Side by side the room definitely looks larger without the border at the top, and without the plants. A visitor even asked if I got a bigger mirror! Whoopwhoop!!   

Already had the shell, perfume bottle, and antique Kraft Cheese Mold.

The gold framed print is about 20 years old, from our first house, and I printed the shell onto white card stock(an image from the Graphic's Fairy) to cover the old artwork. Used a silver metallic sharpie marker to cover the black mat around the shell print. The bottom left small canvas, i just gessoed over and painted the ombre gray, then hot glued found shell over it. Scrapbook paper and chipboard letters in the Michael's plain wood frame, and my fav part of this room now is...................

This photo tray I got a Hobby Lobby a couple of years ago, and now it tells the story of our beach family vacations over the last 20 years. We didn't take a family vacation for ten whole years when the kids were young, from 1995-2005, but we are making up for that now.

The circular vine item (above left) is a metal plate for holding candles, I repurposed and spray painted high gloss white(Krylon) , then hot glued a Tim Holtz photo clip on and used an Instagram photo and transparency I had on hand.   Thanks for visiting today! I am off to recover from the 17 hour days of this redo. Feeling so sick, but enjoying my new powder room!

Using the Project Life Heritage Edition to Easily Decorate the Thanksgiving Table

I Love the neutral color scheme of the Project Life Heritage Edition, and thought burlap, black and white would create a pleasing modern rustic look.

Here is a wide-angle view of the whole table. I found the bundled wheat on Pinterest and gave it a try, and five hours later... tada! Thanksgiving centerpiece, thank you Pinterest!

I love how easy this was to print on, and how this color scheme from the Heritage Kit is so easy to work with. Seriously!! This goes with everything people:)

I am so excited about using the 3x4 journaling cards, from the Heritage kit, for guests to write what they are thankful for this year. Place card, decor and thanksgiving week journaling all in one... Yes, please!! Thank you for visiting my little blog today!

Project Life 2013: Week 40

For Week 40, I decided to make the focus all about my daughter! This is her birthday week, and I wanted to highlight her personality, likes and dislikes, and celebrate the unique creation she is! I took photos of some of her favs right now and journaled about some of her interests, goals, food, quirks and style at age 15. I will really enjoy creating one of these pages for each year now and can't wait to see how she learns and matures each year! Love you daughter!!
       As I always say, You are only "insert age here" once! And my daughter always says, "Mom, you are only every age once!" True 'dat girl!! But each age, and or season, is one I want to celebrate to show how much they are loved.
      The Just Add Color Project Life kit, and the Jade Core kits were great for mixing this week, and I really like how the colors coordinated.
     Thank you for visiting my blog today!

Project Life 2013: Weeks 38 & 39

Week 39: Loved using the new "Just Add Color" Edition of Project Life available on HSN this fall! It worked great for my square Instagram pics, and the new 2"x 2" size is adorbs!! Added computer journaling, and letter stickers, and the family die cut is from Simon Says Stamp and Memory Box.

Week 38: Seriously, how cute is the Amy Tangerine/ American Crafts Cut &Paste Mini Project Life Kit??  LOVE it! I also used the Studio Calico August Project Life Kit cards as they are  Amy Tangerine Cut and Paste, and the stickers are from Amy Tangerine/American Crafts "Yes, Please" line.

Thanks for visiting my little corner of the blogosphere!

Weeks 35, and 36 Project Life 2013

Mixed the June and August Studio Calico Project Life Kits (Roundabout, and Marks and Co.) and one Seafoam Core Kit card. Only a few embellishments used: letter stickers, cork arrow, sequins, and washi tape. The week card is a picture of our new doormat, with "WK 35" letter stickers directly on the photo.  A very quick spread!

Week 36 is made with the Marks and Co. Project Life Kit (August) and the new lined 3x4 blank journal cards, and 4x6 blank white textured cards by Becky Higgins LLC. I used a Ranger Detail Waterbrush to add the watercolor to the lined journal card on the right, and the frame around the top photo.

Thank you for looking!!